In a clip that has now been viewed millions of times across social media platforms, an unnamed beauty influencer experienced a livestream filter glitch that briefly revealed her unfiltered appearance. The incident has reportedly cost her around 140,000 followers in a matter of minutes.
A well-known digital beauty filter abruptly stopped working during what seemed to be a typical livestream, revealing the creator's natural skin tone and facial features before the augmented reality effects were restored.
The brief unfiltered moment swiftly circulated on social media, igniting widespread discussion about authenticity, societal beauty norms, and the pervasive influence of AI-driven face enhancements.
This Chinese influencer apparently lost 140000 followers after her filter got removed mid live stream!
— Mini (@perfectminz) February 17, 2026
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Recent Viral Glitch Sparks Global Debate
The influencer's identity has not been publicly disclosed and the precise follower figures remain unverified. However, various reports and user reactions suggest the glitch triggered an immediate and dramatic drop in her online following. The situation recalls earlier controversies—most notably the 2019 livestream of 'Your Highness Qiao Biluo', another Chinese streamer whose alleged use of filters sparked debate about digital deception.
While some commentators online accused the creator of catfishing her audience or hiding behind digital masks, others rallied in her defence. These reactions highlight the increasingly polarised views around online enhancements and the emotional investment audiences place in digital personas.
There is a Chinese streamer called Qiao Biluo, known online as “Your Highness Qiao Biluo.” In 2019, a beauty filter she was using during a livestream suddenly glitched, revealing that she was in her fifties while presenting herself as much younger.
— Science girl (@sciencegirl) February 16, 2026
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The Pressure to Look Perfect
The incident has prompted broader conversations about the psychological impact of beauty filters, especially among young women and teens. Studies have linked the regular use of augmented reality filters with body dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem, particularly when filtered images create a gulf between users' online and offline appearances.
Experts describe a cultural form of 'Snapchat dysmorphia', in which individuals seek real-world cosmetic changes to mirror their digitalised, filtered images.
Critics contend that filters do more than smooth blemishes or refine lighting, as they often reshape key facial features to align with narrow beauty ideals. Longstanding social and cultural incentives to appear flawless online can exacerbate this effect, fostering environments where individuals feel less confident in their unfiltered bodies.
Are AI Filters Going Too Far?
The backlash against beauty filters isn't limited to this latest viral moment.
In recent months, social media users have also criticised so-called 'chubby filters' and other AI-generated effects that manipulate body shape or weight for entertainment or mockery. These trends have drawn accusations of body-shaming and promoting unhealthy comparisons, prompting some platforms to remove certain filters following online outcry.
Marketing agencies and advocacy groups have taken note, urging brands to distance themselves from hyper-realistic enhancement tools. A leading talent agency recently condemned TikTok's 'Bold Glamour' AI filter, which is used by millions, saying it could harm wellbeing and set unrealistic standards that even seasoned influencers struggle to meet authentically.
Authenticity in the Age of AI
Despite this criticism, major social platforms have resisted sweeping bans on beauty filters. In a high-profile court case in Los Angeles, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the presence of such tools on Instagram and called a total ban 'paternalistic' and a restriction on artistic expression.
The contrast between curated perfection and spontaneous reality — whether due to a glitch or intentional choice — continues to fuel debate about how we view beauty online.
For many users, the appeal of filters remains strong. They offer aspirational aesthetics, polished visuals, and immediate confidence boosts. But for a growing number of critics, the pressure to conform to digitally-enhanced ideals raises questions about self-worth, representation, and what it truly means to be beautiful in a world dominated by screens.
As conversations about authenticity and self-image intensify, this latest livestream mishap has become more than a fleeting viral moment. It's a window into how deeply technology now shapes our perceptions of beauty.
